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2 Day Loch Ness & Highlands Tour from Edinburgh
Our 2 day Loch Ness and Highlands tour from Edinburgh takes you into the rugged and breathtaking Scottish countryside. Led by an experienced guide, you will explore the highlights of the region including the Glenfinnan Viaduct, Cairngorm National park, St Andrews, Loch Ness and Glencoe. Stay overnight in Inverness and discover the capital of the Highlands. Visit Loch Ness, and try to spot Nessie the Loch Ness Monster! Enjoy a 1-hour boat ride in Loch Ness or explore the nearby village. Our 2 Day Loch Ness and Inverness Highlands Tour is available departing on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays from Central Edinburgh.
Free cancellation: Cancel up to 24 hours in advance to receive a full refund
Highlights: 2 Day Loch Ness & Highlands Tour
Day 1
- Depart Edinburgh and head towards the Highlands, crossing the River Forth
- Visit St Andrews, a medieval walled town which is the home of golf in Scotland! You’ll have time to explore the ancient town, see the Cathedral grounds and St Andrew’s University buildings
- Stop at The Hermitage, a magical woodland nature reserve
- Visit Pitlochry, a picturesque Scottish town. There are plenty of pubs and cafes to enjoy lunch
- Drive into the Cairngorm National Park and admire the breathtaking scenery
- See the Clava Carins burial chambers that are over 4,000 years old and were an inspiration in the writing of the Outlander novels.
- Enjoy a free evening and overnight stay in Inverness, the capital of the Highlands
Day 2
- Begin the day with a visit Loch Ness!
- Explore Loch Ness, either with a boat trip along the Loch or time to explore the shoreside village of Fort Augustus
- Continue with a visit to the Glenfinnan Viaduct, famous for its appearance in the Harry Potter movies as the bridge that Hogwarts Express travels over!
- Drive through the Scottish Highlands and arrive at Glencoe, considered one of the most beautiful spots in Scotland with a haunted past. The bleak landscape has featured in many famous movies, including James Bond’s Skyfall and the Harry Potter movies.
- Return to Edinburgh, passing Loch Lomond and the spectacular Highlands countryside along the way
itinerary: Loch Ness & Highlands Tour
The ruins of St Andrews Cathedral
1. St. Andrews
Departing Edinburgh we’ll head north into the Scottish highlands, crossing the River Forth along the way. Our first stop is the medieval town of St Andrews, which is home to one of the oldest universities in the English-speaking world. You’ll have free time to explore this charming town which is considered the birthplace of golf, and is also where Prince William met his future wife, Kate Middleton. Highlights include the medieval buildings of St Andrews Unversity and the Cathedral grounds. For a small fee, you can also visit St Andrews Castle. Highlights include the underground mine, an infamous castle prison and the tunnels.
2. The Hermitage & Pitlochry
Leaving St Andrews, we’ll head into the heart of the Highlands passing the city of Dundee. We’ll stop at The Hermitage, a magical woodland nature reserve set deep in the forests. You’ll get to see a spectacular waterfall, walk amongst the tallest trees in Scotland and admire the wildlife! From here we drive to the Victorian town of Pitlochry for lunch. The town has lots of pubs and cafes where you can enjoy something to eat while taking in the picture-postcard surroundings.
3. Outlander
From here we drive into the Cairngorm National Park, an area of outstanding beauty. We’ll stop at Clava Cairns, a set of ancient burial grounds that date back to the bronze age. This site served as inspiration for the writer of the Outlander novels, which was later turned into a hit TV-series. We then continue our Outlander theme with a visit to the Culloden Battlefield. An important location in Sottish history, the Battle of Culloden also features in the Outlander TV Series.
4. Inverness
Stop overnight at Inverness, the capital of the Highlands
The first day of our Loch Ness and Highlands tour ends in Inverness, capital of the Scottish Highlands, where you will check-in at your local accommodation. Enjoy free time in the evening to explore the highlights of the city. There are lots of local restaurants or traditional Highland pubs where you can try out the Scottish national dish Haggis. There are also plenty of pubs to sample the Scotch Whisky or beer from one of the local breweries. You can also take an evening stroll along the banks of the famous River Ness, where you’ll find Inverness Castle and Inverness Cathedral.
day 2
5. Loch Ness!
Day 2 of our Loch Ness and Highlands Tour begins with a journey to Loch Ness, admiring the stunning countryside along the way. We’ll drive the full 23-mile length of the Loch to reach the shore at the pretty village of Fort Augustus. Enjoy a 1-hour boat cruise along Loch Ness and try to spot Nessie the Loch Ness monster! Alternatively, have a stroll around the pretty village and beautiful Caledonian Canal lock system.
6. Glenfinnan Viaduct
The Glenfinnan Viaduct is one of the most photographed places in Scotland. It’s become instantly recognizable from the Harry Potter movies, where it was used as the bridge that Hogwarts Express crosses! It’s located amongst spectacular Scottish countryside, and you’ll have the option to take a short hike to an extraordinary viewpoint.
7. Glencoe & Highlands
Glencoe, in the heart of the Scottish Highlands!
From here, head to Glencoe, passing Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in the British Isles. Glencoe is a valley of volcanic origins and an important location in Scottish history. It was here that a massacre took place in 1692 when many of the Macdonald Clan were murdered. Soak up the dramatic views as your tour guide recounts the tale of the infamous ‘Massacre of Glencoe’.
8. Return to Edinburgh
We’ll return to Edinburgh driving through more spectacular countryside, and passing through the Trossachs National Park and Loch Lomond. As we approach Edinburgh, we’ll see Stirling Castle in the distance and the National Monument to the Scottish hero Sir William Wallace.
We return to Edinburgh at around 5.30 pm.
Accommodation:
During this tour, you will stay overnight in Inverness. Our tour does not include accommodation, and you can either book your own accommodation or request for us to book accommodation for you.
Your guide will drop you off and pick you up each day from 26 Queensgate, Inverness, IV1 1DJ.
Leave it to us:
If you would like us to book accommodation, please contact us after booking your tour. We can arrange the following types of accommodation:
- Hostel accommodation: a dorm bed in a mixed room with 4-8 beds per room. Facilities are shared, and breakfast is not included, but there is a communal kitchen where you can prepare food
- B&B/Guesthouse: we can arrange a single room, double/twin room, or family room (3-4 people). All rooms are en-suite or have private shower facilities. Breakfast is included
You’ll pay for your accommodation directly to the provider on arrival. By doing so, we can offer you the best prices!
MOre Info: Loch Ness and Highlands Tour
- Tour departs at 8am from the Bus Stop located outside the Deacon’s House Cafe, 304 Lawnmarket. The tour returns the next day to the same location at approximately 5.30 pm.
- The tour includes transportation and a fully licensed tour guide
- The tour excludes accommodation, meals, refreshments and entrance fees. Entrance fees can be purchased on the day of the tour.
- Please note that the boat trip with Cruise Loch Ness is available from April to October.
- Free cancellation: Cancel up to 24 hours in advance to receive a full refund
